LibGuides: International Law: State Practice

General Research Process

Researching "Customary International Law" can seem like an elusive process. According to International Legal Research in a Nutshell, the basic outline for conducting such research might take a form such as this:

Basic reference tools (See General Resources/Tools Tab)
Commentary/analysis (See General Resources Tab)
International law decisions (See International Tribunals Tab)
Treaties/agreements (See Treatises Tab)
State practice
International governmental organizations (IGO) practice
National laws (See National Laws Tab)
Fact-based research

Hoffman, M., & Berring, R. C. (2017), pp. 72-73. International legal research in a nutshell. St. Paul, MN: West Academic Publishing.

This tab focuses on sources needed to locate materials known as "State Practice."

US State Practice Sources

Foreign Relations of the US
Available from HeinOnline--includes a record of the major US foreign policy decisions and other significant diplomatic activity. Includes materials from Lincoln through Reagan.
Department of the State Bulletin
The Bulletin contains articles about the views of the United States in the areas of public and private international law. The Bulletin also contains articles about diplomatic missions around the world and the activities of the State Department.
Foreign Press Center (Obama Administration Archives)
Foreign Press Center (Bush Administration Archives)

International Yearbooks

Yearbooks are available from HeinOnline for a variety of different countries and regions. This could be a good start when reviewing national laws and cases on issues of public international law.

Collection of International Yearbooks and Periodicals (HeinOnline)

Tutorials

Customary International Law Tutorial (Duke Law)
Learn more about customary international law, general principles of law, and other sources in this tutorial compiled by Duke University School of Law.